There’s something about creativity. It has been said it is “the place where the Divine and the Human meet” (Matthew Fox).

Perhaps it is something to do with the universe, a universe where the evolutionary creative process continues to bring order and form out of chaos, but always changing, being renewed.

Human beings are incredibly creative, in life generally. Creating cities, technology, culture, the arts. And it’s all constantly changing; one thing gives birth to another and in the process suffers some kind of death. Maybe the Jesus story is an ultimate metaphor and symbol of this creative process at work which has given rise to the universe and to life, consciousness and culture. And the way in which we are invited to ‘tune-in’ to this process.

Jesus said: “you have heard it said, but I say to you, and you will do greater things too….” It’s like an endless spiralling cycle of creative development, in the NT called “walking in the Spirit”.

It can be said that artistic creativity (in all its forms – music, art, theatre etc) is often at the leading edge of culture. The creative inspiration that creatives work with is always pushing the boundaries, finding new ways to explore and express things, willing to takes risks and to experiment.

As people on a spiritual path we consciously open ourselves to the creative Spirit of the universe. This is what spiritual practice like worship, prayer and meditation are for. We are opening ourselves to the inspiration of the universe, to God. We are opening ourselves to creativity. Sometimes religious institutions are afraid of creativity. At a church like St Brides or a network like Spirituality Liverpool I think we can become a creative hub. A place where we can explore ideas, explore encounters with God and where creativity can flourish. Our creativity can become a means of communicating both with and beyond words.

Matthew Fox has written a wonderful book called Creativity. In one of the chapters he explores what human beings are not:

we are not consumerswe are not addictswe are not passive couch potatoeswe are not boringwe need not be boredwe are not cogs in a machinewe are not lazywe are not destroyers

Matthew Fox says, “I propose when all is said and done, our true nature is our creativity”. We are creators at our very core. Only creating can make us happy, for in creating we tap into the deepest powers of self and universe and the Divine Self.”